Community and culture

USQ plays an active role in community-based initiatives and events within the region. We also provide a range of programs that are designed to promote Indigenous culture and assist community members to achieve higher levels of education. Some examples are:

The DARE program focuses on developing the aspiration of students through face-to-face mentoring of Indigenous Australian students in years 9-12 from secondary schools around Toowoomba and Fraser Coast. Other activities include a three-day camp on leadership, career guidance and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture, as well as a Traditional Indigenous Games School Competition.

Indigenous Connections

Indigenous Connections events are held annually at USQ Toowoomba and Springfield campuses and provides over 500 Indigenous high school students with a range of motivational and learning experiences to encourage them to view university study as a desirable and achievable pathway to support their long term goals.

Deadly Motivators Program

The Deadly Motivators Program is targeted at Indigenous and non-Indigenous school staff who are working to improve education outcomes for Indigenous young people in rural communities in southern Queensland including Cunnamulla, Charleville, Roma, St George and Goondiwindi.

Indigenous Art Exhibitions

Every two years, USQ holds an Indigenous Art Exhibition to promote Indigenous culture. In 2012, the Undiluted Exhibition will examine Indigenous experience through the language of contemporary art.

Cherbourg Project in the Creative Arts

Together with the Southern Queensland Institute of TAFE and Toowoomba’s Empire Theatre, the USQ School of Creative Arts provides creative arts workshops at TAFE in Cherbourg, Queensland to improve the access, completion and retention of Indigenous participants in creative arts initiatives.

Indigenous school placement

USQ works with Education Queensland for Education students to complete their professional teacher experience in identified Indigenous schools in the Torres Strait, North Queensland and Indigenous communities.